EMDR vs ART: How These Powerful Trauma Therapies Help You Heal Faster in Seattle
Work With Me
a licensed professional counselor with 15 years of experience in the field. I earned my B.S. in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling from Colorado State University and am the proud owner of Path to Growth Therapy and Trabelsi Coaching & Consulting.
I provide therapy for individuals and couples across Colorado and Washington, and mindset coaching and consulting services to clients worldwide. My specialties include grief, trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship challenges. With a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and action-oriented approach, I help clients move beyond challenges and step into lasting healing and growth.
Meet Sheila
October 16, 2025
Table of Contents
- What Is EMDR Therapy?
- How EMDR Works: The Science Behind Bilateral Stimulation
- What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
- How ART Differs from EMDR
- Benefits of ART Compared to EMDR
- Similarities Between EMDR and ART
- What Issues Do EMDR and ART Help Treat?
- How to Know Which Therapy Is Right for You
- EMDR and ART in Intensives and Longer Sessions
- Virtual EMDR and ART: How They Work Online
- Cost, Insurance, and Session Lengths Explained
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- About Sheila Trabelsi & Path to Growth Therapy
- Schedule a Session in Seattle
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched, evidence-based trauma therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It’s used worldwide to help individuals recover from psychological trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and other distressing life experiences.
EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess “stuck” memories, those that never fully moved into long-term, adaptive storage after trauma. When something overwhelming happens, the brain can store it in fragments, leaving emotional “loops” that keep getting triggered in daily life. This is especially common in post-traumatic stress, attachment trauma, and unresolved grief, including complicated grief.
Through EMDR, clients revisit these memories safely while engaging in bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements, tapping, or tones). This allows the brain to “re-file” the memory properly so it no longer causes distress when recalled.
How EMDR Works: The Science Behind Bilateral Stimulation
Bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain, mimicking what happens naturally during REM sleep, when we process and file away the day’s events. This is one reason EMDR therapy for trauma recovery is considered both neuroscience-based and highly effective.
When used in therapy, these alternating eye movements help clients reduce emotional intensity while maintaining awareness. The brain integrates the memory into a narrative, so it’s remembered but no longer relived. This process also supports emotional regulation, which is especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed, reactive, or emotionally stuck.
Did you know?
EMDR’s effectiveness is supported by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization for treating trauma and PTSD.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a newer, innovative trauma therapy approach that evolved from EMDR, incorporating eye movements, imagery, and creativity. Developed by Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT, ART uses similar bilateral stimulation but follows a more structured, often shorter protocol, making it appealing for clients seeking faster trauma relief.
In ART, clients don’t have to retell every detail of their trauma. Instead, they are guided to change how the brain stores distressing images by “rescripting” or replacing negative imagery with more positive or neutral ones while engaging in eye movements.
This approach allows clients to leave a session feeling lighter, calmer, and emotionally complete, rather than raw or unfinished. ART is often chosen for anxiety treatment, phobias, grief, and single-event trauma.
How ART Differs from EMDR
While ART and EMDR share roots and both use bilateral stimulation to process trauma, their protocols differ in key ways when comparing EMDR vs ART for trauma therapy.
| Feature | EMDR | ART |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 | Evolved from EMDR by Laney Rosenzweig |
| Session Structure | Multi-phase process over several sessions | Structured protocol is often completed in a single session |
| Client Role | Focused recall and repeated reprocessing | Creative visualization and imagery |
| Processing Time | Typically takes multiple sessions | Often resolves one memory per session |
| Emotional Containment | Partial processing may require containment | Full resolution is usually achieved in-session |
| Best Fit | Complex, layered trauma and attachment wounds | Single-event trauma, anxiety, phobias, grief |
Key Insight:
Because ART guides clients to a positive emotional resolution during the session, it’s often experienced as gentler, faster, and more empowering for clients who want to feel better the same day.
Benefits of ART Compared to EMDR
- Faster results: Many clients notice relief in one to three ART sessions.
- Emotionally gentle: ART doesn’t require verbalizing painful details.
- Creative empowerment: Clients use imagination to reframe traumatic imagery.
- Completed protocol: Clients leave sessions feeling calm and resolved.
- Flexible structure: ART can be more accessible for clients new to trauma therapy.
Similarities Between EMDR and ART
Both EMDR and ART:
- Use bilateral stimulation to reprocess distressing experiences
- Treat trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and performance-related stress
- Are evidence-informed and neuroscience-based
- Support the brain’s natural healing process
ART builds on EMDR’s strong scientific foundation while simplifying and accelerating its techniques.
What Issues do EMDR and ART help treat?
These therapies help process a wide range of issues, including:
- PTSD and trauma (single or complex)
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression and self-esteem challenges
- Grief and loss, including complicated or disenfranchised grief
- Phobias and fears
- OCD, addiction, and intrusive thoughts
- Relationship and attachment trauma
- Medical or performance-related stress
Clients working with early attachment injuries or inner child wounds may benefit from EMDR’s ability to target root memories, as explored further in healing the inner child through EMDR.
Example:
A car accident survivor might use ART to replace flashbacks with calm, safe visuals, reducing fear and bodily tension. Someone with complex trauma may use EMDR to process multiple memories over time for lasting change.
How to Know Which Therapy Is Right for You
Choosing between ART and EMDR depends on your goals, readiness, and the type of trauma you’re working through.
- ART may be a better fit if you want faster symptom relief, prefer not to verbalize details, or have specific events or phobias to target.
- EMDR may be ideal for multi-layered trauma, long-term patterns, or early attachment wounds.
As a therapist trained in both EMDR and ART, I help clients choose the path that best supports their healing goals. At times, elements of both are integrated, often alongside informed Internal Family Systems (IFS) work.
EMDR and ART in Intensives and Longer Sessions
Both EMDR and ART work beautifully in longer therapy sessions or intensive formats. Extended sessions allow time to process deeply, integrate insights, and close sessions feeling grounded.
Many clients, especially high-achieving professionals, choose therapy intensives or destination therapy experiences to make meaningful progress in fewer sessions. These formats are also ideal for clients who don’t have time for weekly therapy and prefer 90-minute, 2-hour, or multi-hour sessions.
At Path to Growth Therapy, I offer:
- 90-minute and 2-hour extended sessions
- EMDR and ART Intensives (3 – 4 hours)
- Weekend, extended-day, and destination intensives in beautiful Colorado
Note: Extended sessions and intensives are often considered out-of-network for insurance due to session length, though superbills may be available.
Learn more about extended options on the EMDR and ART Therapy Page.
Virtual EMDR and ART: How They Work Online
Yes, both EMDR and ART can be done virtually with great success.
Using secure telehealth platforms, bilateral stimulation is guided through:
- Visual or on-screen eye movements
- Self-tapping
- Auditory tones
- Guided visualization
Clients consistently report virtual EMDR and ART to be just as effective as in-person sessions, with the added comfort of working from home.
Cost, Insurance, and Session Lengths Explained
Insurance typically covers EMDR under standard therapy codes. However, because EMDR and ART often require more time than traditional talk therapy, many providers offer preferred 90 – 120 minute sessions to maintain fidelity to the model.
- Standard insurance session: 45 – 60 minutes
- Extended EMDR/ART session: 90 – 120 minutes
- Intensive format: 3 hours or more
Single-event trauma may resolve quickly with ART, while complex trauma or ongoing issues may require multiple sessions. Both modalities consistently produce results faster than talk therapy alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can EMDR or ART be done virtually?
The number of sessions depends on the type of trauma being treated. ART often brings noticeable relief within 1 – 3 sessions for single-event trauma, phobias, or anxiety. EMDR may take more sessions when working with complex trauma, attachment wounds, or multiple past experiences.
How many sessions does EMDR or ART take?
Insurance typically covers EMDR and ART when provided in standard 45 – 60 minute therapy sessions. Extended sessions and intensive formats usually fall outside insurance guidelines and are often self-pay, though many clients use superbills for partial reimbursement.
Does insurance cover EMDR or ART?
Insurance often covers standard-length sessions. Extended sessions and intensives are typically self-pay, with superbills available.
What makes EMDR and ART faster than talk therapy?
EMDR and ART work directly with how the brain stores traumatic memories. Instead of repeatedly talking through painful experiences, these therapies help the nervous system reprocess and integrate memories, reducing emotional and physical distress more efficiently.
About Sheila Trabelsi and Path to Growth Therapy
At Path to Growth Therapy, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Washington, specializing in trauma-informed therapy, anxiety recovery, grief counseling, and emotional wellness using EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and integrative mind-body approaches.
I offer virtual EMDR therapy in Seattle and across Washington State, as well as destination therapy intensives and online therapy throughout Colorado. My work focuses on helping clients experience empowerment, healing, and sustainable growth after difficult life experiences.
I also offer business and leadership coaching through Trabelsi Coaching and Consulting, helping entrepreneurs, therapists, and leaders thrive personally and professionally.
Schedule a Session in Seattle
If you’re ready to experience the healing power of EMDR or Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), I invite you to reach out today.
Together, we can help your mind and body let go of what’s been holding you back and create space for relief, resilience, and growth.
Schedule a consultation today to explore which approach is right for you.
